Cropp and Thatcher (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Cropp and Thatcher against a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the percentage of care for their child. The Registrar had revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new determinations, which the parties sought to challenge.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would justify the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. The court was required to assess the evidence presented to determine if the statutory criteria for altering the percentage of care had been met.

The court considered the evidence regarding the actual care arrangements for the child and the likely future care arrangements. It applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning changes to the pattern of care. After reviewing the evidence, the court found that the Registrar’s decision to revoke the existing determinations and make new ones was justified based on the evidence of a change in the likely pattern of care. The court affirmed the decision under review.